Welcome to the first post in my new series Is It Witchcraft? where I take everyday things from my practice and break down why they’re considered witchy, magical, or spiritual—and what I actually use them for. Today, we’re starting with one of the most iconic tools in the witch’s toolkit: candles.

Disclaimer: This series is based on my personal practice, shaped by experience, intuition, and what I’ve learned from others in the witchcraft community. Magic isn’t universal—what works for me might not work for everyone, and that’s okay. Witchcraft is flexible, evolving, and deeply personal.

🕯️ Types of Candles

There’s more to candles than just color—shape, size, and function matter too.

• Chime candles – Small and skinny, these burn quickly and are perfect for short spells or quick bursts of intention. I keep mine stored in a little chest.

• Pillar candles – Thick and slow-burning. These are best for longer rituals or when I want something sturdy and grounding on my altar.

• Taper candles – Tall and elegant, often used in formal or ceremonial settings.

• Tea lights – Tiny and great for limited space or simple rituals.

• Jar candles – Self-contained and great for long burns. I don’t use these often, but they’re great if you want something lower maintenance.

• Shaped candles – Some are made in the form of people, body parts, or deities. These are often used in sympathetic magic, deity work, or to direct energy toward a specific kind of spell or intention. Shape can be just as meaningful as color or scent.

🔹 My Candle Story

I didn’t use candles before I started practicing witchcraft. Fire always made me anxious—probably because I’ve always lived in apartments and was taught to be extra cautious. I don’t remember the exact first time I lit one with intention, but I know I’ve used them in rituals ever since.

Candles have become a grounding tool for me. I light them when I’m overwhelmed, when I need to breathe, when I’m pulling tarot, or when I’m doing a quiet moon ritual out on the balcony. Sometimes I just sit and watch the smoke after blowing one out—talk to it, stare into it, feel the shift. I use a lot of black candles. I don’t always plan to—but I always come back to them. That energy just feels like mine.

🌈 Candle Color Meanings

Each color brings its own energy. Here's how I use the full rainbow:

• 🔴 Red – Passion, action, vitality, lust, courage, root chakra.

• 🟠 Orange – Confidence, joy, attraction, celebration, motivation.

• 🟡 Yellow – Clarity, intellect, focus, communication, solar power.

• 🟢 Green – Abundance, growth, healing, prosperity, nature.

• 🔵 Blue – Calm, dreams, intuition, emotional truth, water work.

• 🟣 Purple – Psychic energy, power, transformation, ancestors.

• ⚪ White – Cleansing, spirit, truth, moon energy, universal substitute.

• ⚫ Black – Protection, banishing, shadow work, endings and rebirth.

Color magic is symbolic. You don’t need a perfect match—but if you have it, use it.

🔥 Safety First, Always

I only light candles when I can actively supervise them. If they’re on my altar, it’s either for a brief moment during ritual or while I’m present and the space is clear of anything flammable. I take fire safety seriously, especially with pets in the home and the reality of distractions. Fire is sacred—but it’s also dangerous if not respected.

🪫 No Flame? No Problem.

Battery-powered candles count. They’re safe, reusable, and still hold energy—especially if you set your intention clearly. Whether it’s for dorm life, mobility needs, sensory issues, or just general peace of mind, flameless options are 100% valid. Magic adapts to you.

Got thoughts? Have a candle color you swear by? Drop it in the comments or tag me—this series is gonna be an evolving mix of tradition, experience, and “does this count as witchcraft?” chaos.

See you in the next one.